These hearings were related to a case where Masengeli was expected to provide explanations concerning the mysterious disappearance of three individuals: an activist and two brothers. The trio went missing on August 19, 2024, in Kitengela, and the court was eager to understand the police's involvement in the case.
Despite being summoned multiple times, Masengeli did not show up, making it hard for the court to make any progress in the case. His absence delayed justice for the missing people and left the court unable to establish what might have happened to them.
Judge Mugambi declared that Masengeli’s actions had hindered justice, forcing the court to take action by sentencing him to six months in prison. The judge emphasized that no individual, no matter their position, should hold the court “at ransom.”
Masengeli has been given a week to surrender to the Commissioner General of Prisons to serve his sentence. If he fails to surrender voluntarily, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has been instructed to ensure that Masengeli is arrested and taken to prison.
By the time of the ruling, Masengeli had not made any public statements about the sentence. However, his case has become a significant topic of conversation, especially among political leaders from the Western region.
Following the court’s decision, several political leaders from Western Kenya came to Masengeli’s defense. Leading the charge was Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi, who criticized the sentence and alleged that Masengeli was being unfairly targeted.
According to MP Amisi, the charges against Masengeli are politically motivated and are part of a larger conflict involving President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Amisi suggested that Masengeli was being caught up in this political fight and was being used as a scapegoat.
Amisi went on to argue that Masengeli should not be punished for actions taken by his predecessor, former Inspector General Japhet Koome. The MP pointed out that the deaths of several protesters during the Gen Z demonstrations occurred while Koome was in charge, not Masengeli.
According to Amisi, Koome should be the one held responsible for any wrongdoing during his tenure as IG, not Masengeli. "Masengeli cannot be made a sacrificial lamb for Koome's mistakes," Amisi claimed.
The Saboti MP believes that Masengeli is being unfairly dragged into this situation and that the court is being used to shift blame away from those who should be held accountable.
Amisi emphasized that Masengeli is being made to suffer for problems that are not of his own making. He reiterated that Koome, who has since left office, must take responsibility for the events that occurred during his time in charge.
Despite the sentencing, Masengeli was seen earlier on the same day attending a public event. He was at the National Police Leadership Academy (NPLA) in Ngong, Nairobi County, where he participated in the closing ceremony of the Sub-County Police Commanders (SCPC) Course.
During the event, Masengeli was photographed handing out certificates to police officers who had completed their training. This appearance was notable, as it took place just hours before the sentencing was handed down by the court.
The National Police Service (NPS) shared images of the event on their social media platforms, showing Masengeli actively engaged in his duties.
This public appearance raised questions about whether the Acting IG was prepared to surrender himself or whether he planned to challenge the court’s ruling.
The sentencing of a high-ranking police official like Masengeli has drawn significant attention from the public and political leaders alike. While some view the court's decision as a necessary step to uphold the rule of law, others, especially from Masengeli's home region, believe that the ruling is influenced by political motives.
Western leaders are particularly vocal in their support of Masengeli, with many echoing MP Amisi’s sentiments. They argue that the Acting IG is being unfairly treated and that the issues he is facing stem from problems that arose under his predecessor’s leadership.
According to these leaders, Masengeli is being targeted because of his perceived involvement in the political struggles between President Ruto and Deputy President Gachagua.
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